How to Create 2 Styles of Crystal Clay Drop Accent Charms

Creating drop accent charms can offer just the right look to complete a necklace. In this tutorial I will walk you through the step-by-step instructions for creating two different styles of drop accents; a Bailed Hinge with Faceted Bead Chain Accent and a Balled Headpin with PearlEx Powder as an accent.

Creating the Bailed Hinge with Faceted Bead Chain Drop Accent

Step 1:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the handling and mixing of the Crystal Clay. While wearing gloves, pinch off two equal sized balls of Part A and Part B and blend together fully until the clay is no longer marbled and uniform in color. You have approximately 90-120 minutes of working time before the clay starts to harden, so take your time. Once the clay is thoroughly mixed, remove your gloves to make it easier to work with the clay.

Step 2:
Pinch off a small ball of the clay and roll it in the palm of your hands until smooth and round. Any creases in the clay will be more challenging to smooth out later, so roll until it is nice and smooth.

Step 3:
Roll the Crystal Clay into a long snake like shape using the palm of your hand and your fingers. Make the snake of Crystal Clay the length of your desired accent.

TIP: If the Crystal Clay is very sticky, let it sit for ½ hour. This will set the clay set-up slightly making it easier to work with.

Step 4:
Poke the end of the Bailed Hinge Loop into the snake of Crystal Clay. Use your fingers to gently sculpt the Crystal Clay Drop around the hinge.

Step 5:
Now you are ready to embed the Faceted Bead Chain into the Crystal Clay. Lay the chain into the Crystal Clay drop and press it lightly into the clay. Make sure that the chain is embedded into the clay deep enough so that it is fully attached. Use a pair of flush cutters to cut away any excess Faceted Bead Chain.

Step 6:
Using a wet-wipe, clean up any excess Epoxy Clay-Crystal Clay that might have been left on the jewelry finding. The Epoxy Clay-Crystal Clay hardens like cement, so cleaning it up now and being tidy as you go makes the process easier and the results so much nicer.

Step 7:
I tend to work in a small area (typically my kitchen table), so I like to work on a surface that projects can be easily moved around and not disturbed. Place some business cards or some heavy card stock onto your work surface, making it easy to move the curing Crystal Clay without disturbing it. You might also want to cover your business card with packing tape or a small plastic bag. This will prevent the Crystal Clay from sticking to the surface of the business card.

Step 8:
Lay the Crystal Clay drop onto the plastic to let cure. Make sure to rotate the drop during the first 120 minutes, making sure that the clay doesn’t stick to the plastic. If it does, peel away the drop, pat the clay until it is smooth again. Place the drop back onto the plastic surface to cure. The clay will be hard to the touch within 120 minutes, but will continue to cure for the next 48 hours.

Step 9:
Add to your Charm Necklace!

Creating the Balled Headpin with PearlEx Powder Accent

Here are the steps for creating a similar accent drop using Crystal Clay on a Balled Headpin and then applying PearlEx Powder as an accent.

Step 1:
Repeat Steps 1-2.

Step 2:
Poke the Balled Headpin or regular Headpin into the ball of Crystal Clay and pull it all the way through the clay. The Crystal Clay ball now should be sitting right above the ball of the headpin.

Step 3:
Use your fingers to gently sculpt a drop like shape around the headpin.

Step 4:
Once you have your desired shape, dip a Q-Tip into a jar of PearlEx Powders. Smear the powder onto the Crystal Clay.

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